The Polar Express
We made it back safe and sound last night from our adventure to ride the Polar Express on the Mt. Hood Railroad.
This was a trip we had been planning for months (you have to get the
tickets months in advance - a big thanks to Jen for the reminder email
earlier this year to sign up) as a surprise for Simon. He is a huge fan
of the The Polar Express
story and especially the movie.
We picked him up early from school on Wednesday and started driving north. We told him we were going on a surprise adventure and it was going to be quite a ways in the car. In a box in the car we had packed a new set of surprise Christmas PJ's and planned to stop at Target to pick up a bathrobe like the boy in the movie wears.
Our big fear was that we would not be able to make it over to Hood River. It's a three-hour drive in regular conditions but because of snow and freezing temperatures all over Oregon we just weren't sure if we were going to be able to make it. Because of that we did not tell Simon where we were going until we were sure we were going to make it all the way.
We stopped at a Target south of Portland and I ran in to see what kind of boys bathrobes they had available. They actually had quite a few choices but I went with a fleece blue Cars bathrobe with red on the collar and cuffs...and it was $8 (probably the best $8 I have spent in a long time as you will see). I got back in the car and off we went.
The roads were totally fine almost the entire way. It got a little bit slick with packed snow and ice and snow coming down as we approached Hood River but nothing that slowed us down.
As soon as we could tell that we were really going to make it we started giving Simon clues about where we were going and what we were planning to do. We gave him the PJ's to open and he was pretty excited about those but still had not guessed where we were going. We came up with some easier clues, handed over the bag with the bathrobe and let him open that and it all started coming together for him.
"Are we going on the Polar Express?" he finally asked with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.
"That's right buddy. We are going to ride on the Polar Express and you get to wear your PJ's and bathrobe on the train just like in the movie."
As we pulled into Hood River the snow was really coming down. The train depot is right downtown so we pulled in there and checked-in, picking up our official tickets. We had been going back and forth about staying the night but considering the weather and the fact that the Hood River Hotel was right across the street we decided to just go for it. We drove over, got a room that was able to accommodate the dog as well, gathered up our stuff, and piled into the room so that Simon could change into his PJ's and bathrobe.
The excitement level at this point was pretty high for all of us. We were able to walk out the door of our room right down to the train depot. The fact that it was snowing and there was snow all around really added to the whole adventure.
Down at the train depot there were lots of families gathering to wait for the train. While waiting we picked up a copy of the Polar Express book and Simon sat down to check it out.
Soon enough everyone began forming a line and we saw the train pull up
and the conductor come in and welcome us to the Polar Express. We
found our train car and climbed aboard. Because of the weather there
were many families that decided not to brave the elements so there was
lots of room available to move cars or change seats. We ended up moving
into a warmer car that ended up being a great move because we ended up
being second in line to see Santa (a wait that would have been
challenging).
Once we were all settled in the train began to move and the conductor came around and punched all the kids tickets just like in the movie with little punched circles flying all around.
Polar Express music was playing on the sound system. Hot cocoa was served by "bakers" (as Simon likes to call the white hats). And then they read the entire Polar Express story over the loud-speaker. It was cool to have the book with us at our seat so Simon could follow along.
As the train rolled along we came to a little village they had set up as the North Pole with elves and Santa! Santa and the elves boarded the train and came and visited each of the kids, giving them their own special Christmas bell.
On the way back there was lots of singing and finishing up of hot chocolate. It was such a cool trip. The best part for us was just watching Simon's reaction to everything. Seeing all the joy and anticipation for each little thing. It was so cool.
After the train ride we headed across the street for some pizza and video games before heading back to our room. When we did get back to the room Simon played out the entire Polar Express movie and definitely wanted to sleep in the bathrobe. And why not?
Overall it was a really special trip for all of us. We are so glad we were able to make it over there and back safely and that it was such a cool surprise for Simon.
Family adventures are awesome.
All day yesterday, as we made our way back home (including some shopping stops in Portland), he wore that bathrobe over his clothes with bell and punched ticket in hand.
And guess what? It snowed here again last night. For the third time this week we woke up to a no-school announcement. Talk about one very lucky little boy.
I will be catching up on December Daily creations this weekend.
What a magical memory for your family! They do something similar where we live, I hope to take my granddaughter when she's 5.
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This is wonderful. I know that seeing Simon enjoy his trip was all the thanks that you needed. We live in FL where it is going to be almost 80 degress on Christmas Eve! I so want snow and to one day be able to take my son on an "adventure".
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What a great family outing! THanks for sharing the story and photos. We're planning to take our kids on the Polar Express (in AZ) next year.
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Wow! That has got to be one of the coolest Christmas ativities ever.
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Ahh...Ali, that is such a wonderful memory! I got goosebumps as I kept reading and looking at Simon's expression! Cheers to more Family Adventures!!! Thanks for sharing your story with us!
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how awesome is that?! That is something you guys will never forget. Very, very cool.
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Amen to what Christy said above about the true magic of Christmas - I was reading with bated breath, hoping that everything worked out. I'm so glad it did. What memories! Thank you for sharing the experience with us.
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so wonderful! My son is grown but these are the kinds of things we both remember and share over again every Christmas!
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wow! that is so cool, i just found your blog and love love love it!!! i had no idea you were near portland. i'm in vancouver and am currently watching the beautiful flakes fall. yet another snow day for us as well.
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Your story and photos completely made me tear up. What a fantastic mom you are.
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Ali, what a fantastic family adventure. I'm sure Simon will remember it forever! Hope the dog had a good time too!
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SO COOL!What a great moment to remember forever.
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What a cool surprise. Love the photos...the excitement radiates! What a fun Christmas it will be in your house!
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glad you had such a great experience! we did this two weekend's ago with my three year old son and his four year old cousin. they were so excited they were literally jumping off their seats. we had snow too, it was really a perfect little family adventure. our polar express outing is already documented in my december daily! looking forward to seeing your postings over the weekend.
peace,
beth
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Oh, wow! How nice to have something like that to go on adventure to!
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How wonderful and very exciting! Glad you made it safely to and from the train! Thanks for sharing!
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Oh what a beautiful experience!
I'm so happy that Simon and your family got to enjoy it. What a magnificent memory!
My son loves the Polar Express as well. He is such a train boy. Did you know that you can buy the Polar Express from Brio that he can use on his track? I bet he will keep that bell forever! Peace and happiness to you all.
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what an awesome experience!! my son asked to hear the reindeer's bells in his ears on his wish list to santa. it was so cute. YOu gave me an idea of finding a bell and putting it in his stocking. Thanks for all your inspiration
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Amazing adventure! I wish we had something like that around here!! :0)
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sounds like such a wonderful day! the snow was the perfect touch! enjoy the snow this week! :)
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pure Christmas magic! I was in tears reading that, it was so sweet and special. XX's
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You are one cool mom!
That trip is so amazing, they did such a good job putting that together!
Simon's face!
What a memory.
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hey ali,
next year send me a reminder email would ya?! LOL! i have been wanting to do this for my girls for years now and always forget to sign up and it fills UP! i thought of just taking them on the train to chicago in their jammies anyway!
what fun pictures! great adventure!!!! cant' wait to see these scrapped!!tara
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Talk about feeling jealous! I wish we lived in driving distance, because we would have gone. Bradley is the biggest Polar Express fan. I love that you dress him in pj's like the movie. One word comes to mind... LUCKY! lol
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That's such a great story about your trip. It sounded like a great adventure!
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